Rescuers in South Korea have recovered 13 bodies from a flooded road tunnel in a central city, taking the death toll from flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rain to at least 40. The devastating event has prompted President Yoon Suk Yeol to remind the country that extreme weather is now a fact of life due to climate change.
The Osong underground tunnel in the city of Cheongju was filled with water in as little as two or three minutes after a nearby riverbank broke, trapping up to 15 vehicles including a bus. Over 900 rescuers, including divers, are working tirelessly to search the tunnel, which is estimated to be filled with four to five meters of water thick with mud and debris.
Yoon has warned that the country must accept climate change is happening and take extraordinary determination to improve its preparedness and response measures. He also emphasized that local authorities must follow disaster response rules and not repeat the mistakes that led to this tragedy.
The province’s relief efforts are facing criticism from residents and families of the victims, who accuse local authorities of presiding over a “man-made disaster” by not taking preventive measures. The province’s emergency response manual did not require the tunnel’s immediate closure despite a flood warning issued four hours before the accident.
South Korea floodsThe locals are demanding to know why the authorities did not take steps to prevent the river from bursting its banks. Jang Chan-gyo, a resident, questioned why authorities did not build a strong levee to prevent the disaster, saying they had been warning residents to prepare for the rainy season for a week.
Yoon blamed local authorities for failing to follow disaster response rules, stating that the situation was made worse by poor preparation in vulnerable areas. He emphasized the importance of access control in dangerous areas and preemptive evacuations.
Heavy rain has been pounding central and southern regions of South Korea since Thursday, causing chaos and destruction. The interior ministry reported nine people missing and 34 injured, with thousands evacuated. Over 10,000 people have been forced to flee their homes, and more than 139 homes have been damaged, with 146 roads swept away.